Letters: Ministers have historically failed the people when it comes to building houses

Irish Independent

02-05-2025

They are Simon Coveney of Fine Gael, Eoghan Murphy (Fine Gael), Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fáil) and, currently, James Browne (Fianna Fáil).
In that period, policies to address the housing crisis have focused on increasing supply and affordability, accelerating social housing ­delivery and supporting home ownership.
These policies include transferring public land to developers, bypassing local planning approvals and ­encouraging international investment; additionally, policies to address vacancy and improve the use of existing housing stock,as well as initiatives to eradicate homelessness and support social inclusion.
Homelessness, as reported by ­Focus Ireland, stood at 3,845 (including 865 children) in January 2015. As of last January, it was 15,286 (including 4,603 children).
The previous figures do not include the unreported living with parents, couch-surfing with friends and relations and finding other means of accommodation.
Housing ministers and the governments they are part of have failed the Irish people.
The latest attempt to resolve the crisis, apart from trying to get the older generation to downsize (so that the wealthy can buy their homes), is the formation of a new body, the Strategic Housing and Infrastructure Office, under the Housing Minister and headed by a newly appointed 'housing tsar'.
This new body will be formed with senior figures from key government departments, including the ­Departments of the Taoiseach, Finance and Transport, together with infrastructure providers such as Uisce Éireann, ESB, EirGrid and others.
An additional team will be seconded from the public sector to include contracted experts.
However, one wonders how this new body, with the same mindset as before, will solve our housing crisis.
The formation of this body under a housing tsar is tantamount to ­admitting our governments and housing ministers lack the ability to solve this crisis.
Hugh McDermott, Dromahair, Co Leitrim
Government continues to ignore public opinion on chronic shortage of homes
There have been several letters in the Irish Independent on the appointment of a so-called housing tsar.
These letters, I suggest, represent the concerns of many at what may be considered as government failure to deal with housing matters, in addition to the questionable 'best practice' use of taxpayer funds.
I continue to hope the Government will at some stage take note of the views of the public.
Perhaps the Government could begin by implementing the Occupied Territories Bill already approved by the Oireachtas and supported by the majority of the Irish people. In addition, the Government may learn from the actions of Donald Trump.
Michael Moriarty, Rochestown, Cork
Appointment of housing tsar appears to be a case of two people doing same job
What exactly will be the duties of the Housing Minister after the proposed new housing tsar takes office?
Will the taxpayer be expected to pay two salaries for duplicated roles and responsibilities? Or does the Government expect the new appointee will be a 24-carat gold Superman who has all the political and moral courage our politicians lack when it comes to getting houses built?
If it's the latter, then the new appointee just might be worth €430,000 a year.
Tim Buckley, White Street, Cork
Callan called it correctly in saying urban decline is fuelled by negative talk
Oliver Callan's vivid tribute to ­Carrickmacross is a welcome antidote to the fog of nostalgia and fear currently clouding debate on immigration ('Those claiming my home town has been 'destroyed by foreigners' forget its past', Irish Independent, May 1).
His portrait reminds us that what often feels like decline is, in fact, the disorienting shape of progress.
A decade from now, we may look back and realise that towns like Carrick weren't being 'destroyed by foreigners', but quietly rebuilt by returnees, newcomers and the brave few who never left.
The real threat isn't demographic; it's the pessimism that tells us decline is inevitable and integration ­impossible. One doesn't need a crystal ball, just a sound understanding of how places adapt, grow and surprise.
Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh
Pope Francis would have cared nothing about the colour of mourners' suits
Eric Conway (Letters, May 1) was correct about Donald Trump's funeral attire at Pope Francis's funeral. A black tie is mournful, a blue one cheerful.
The fact the US president attended in a perfectly acceptable blue suit was respectful enough. Pope Francis wouldn't have been so fussy as his simple funeral wishes proved.
Dominic Shelmerdine, London
Donald Trump probably doesn't believe one word out of even his own mouth
It's unsurprising to learn that US president Donald Trump has taken no responsibility for the state of the economy.
He insists poor economic performance was not related to his global tariffs. He even wrote on his social media platform Truth Social: 'This is Biden's stock market, not Trump's. I didn't take over until January 20. Tariffs will soon start kicking in, and companies are now starting to move into the USA in record numbers.'
In his book, The Apprentice, Trump was proud to share his philosophy of denying everything and never accepting responsibility, allied to presenting every defeat as a victory.
Trump is sounding more like a broken record, so much so that one feels he doesn't even believe what he is saying any more.
John O'Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
Tommy Steele's attempt at an Irish accent in 'Finian's Rainbow' takes the prize
As I listened to the discussion on Liveline on Wednesday concerning laughable attempts at Irish accents by various film stars, my mind wandered back some years to the movie Finian's Rainbow.
A special award in this regard to Tommy Steele. Begosh and begorrah, sure, I'd be after tinkin', I would. He is now 88, and hopefully the road is still rising to meet him.